Derek Stepan says he's comfortable playing the left wing but is unsure if he'll be there against the Islanders Saturday. The second-year forward played on the wing in college at Wisconsin.

Brandon Dubinsky played left wing alongside Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik in both of the Rangers' games in Europe, then remained there for Monday's practice in Greenburgh.

But Wednesday, second-year forward Derek Stepan took Dubinsky's place on the top line.

"This is a big day for you, Step," Richards said, ribbing the 21-year-old as a media swarm entered the locker room.

What did John Tortorella tell Stepan about playing on the first line?

"Don't mess it up," Stepan joked. "No. It's a great opportunity."

Tortorella hopes it is more than that.

Just two days after indicating he didn't want to shuffle lines until he had more games to evaluate, the Rangers coach pulled Stepan, his fourth-line center, into the left wing position alongside Richards. Tortorella said his objective, while giving Stepan a crack at the top, is to return stability to the lineup, beginning with reuniting last season's most consistent line of Dubinsky on the left of Artem Anisimov, with Ryan Callahan on the right.

"There's no question that would be the best thing to do," he said of keeping Dubinsky, Anisimov and Callahan together, a move that also reunites Ruslan Fedotenko, Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust on the third line. "Whether it comes out that way, I don't know, but that's what I'd really like to happen."

Those three lines would leave a fourth group centered by Erik Christensen, with Mike Rupp and likely Mats Zuccarello battling Wojtek Wolski for a spot on the opposite wing.

Stepan does not know if he will start there on Saturday against the Islanders (Friday's practice pairings should shed more light). But he insists he's comfortable playing the wing, where he saw some time at the University of Wisconsin.

"I'm comfortable with it. I played it a couple times last year (with the Rangers)," Stepan said. "Even starting this year I've had a couple shifts on wing. I've said from the beginning: wherever I end up, I'll be happy to play there."

Stepan, who had 21 goals and 24 assists in his rookie season, is the third candidate to emerge as a potential left wing on Richards' line, after Wolski played there most of the preseason and Dubinsky filled the role in Sweden.

Tortorella, who has a reputation for moving pieces frequently, reiterated that "nothing's ever in stone" with his line combinations.

WOLSKI WAITSWolski (sore groin) sat out his second straight practice this week and remains day-to-day. Defenseman Michael Sauer (separated right shoulder) also took another day off. Callahan, the Rangers' captain, was on the ice to work on the power play to start practice, but then went to the locker room and did not return. Tortorella said Callahan is "ready to play" and simply was given a day to take care of some "aches and pains." Asked whether Callahan would play Saturday, the coach said: "Absolutely.". . . Sean Avery, whom the Rangers waived last week before their season opener in Sweden, reported to their AHL affiliate, the Connecticut Whale, on Tuesday. He did not skate the past two days, as the Rangers confirmed the 31-year-old is undergoing treatment on a shoulder injury he suffered during training camp.